Unemployment in Ohio dropped in March

Friday

Apr 18, 2014 at 12:01 AMApr 18, 2014 at 1:42 PM

Ohio's unemployment rate dropped to its lowest level in six years in March, according to state figures released this morning. The unemployment rate hit 6.1 percent last month, down from 6.5 percent in February, the state said this morning. That's the lowest rate since April 2008 when the rate was 5.9 percent.

Mark Williams, The Columbus Dispatch

April 18, 2014

Ohio's unemployment rate dropped to its lowest level in six years in March, according to state figures released this morning.

The unemployment rate hit 6.1 percent last month, down from 6.5 percent in February, the state said this morning. That's the lowest rate since April 2008 when the rate was 5.9 percent.

The number of unemployed workers fell by 24,000 last month to 353,000. That's also the lowest in six years.

The rate also benefited from a drop in the labor force last month.

Ohio's survey of employers found that they added 600 jobs last month, led by an increase of 4,800 jobs in the leisure and hospitality sector and a gain of 4,600 construction jobs. The professional and business services sector added 3,200 jobs and the private education and health care sector added 2,400 jobs.

On the down side, the trade, transportation and utilities sector cut 4,900 jobs, manufacturing lost 3,500 jobs and government employment fell by 3,200 jobs.